Final, Cumulative Post

German Culture 110 taught me very much about current and past German Culture, History, what's changed in Germany, and also very much about the world today. The professor was not only able to teach us all about Germany, but brought up many issues involving the U.S. and the world today. I think that is what college should be all about; opening up your mind to knew ideas and reflecting on what you have learned, gaining a better understanding of today's issues. He also expanded on each subject, and each class member's blog during presentations to help the class understand the significance of each topic. The whole blog setup was very new to me. I had never taken a class that ran off of a blog, but after experiencing it, I expect it will be something that I might see in the future while taking similar classes. It took me a little bit to get used to the format and everything, but once I did, it became very easy for me to find where we were in class, what was expected, and compared my work with other classmates to make sure that it was up to par.

The class began by the students taking part in a group project on the subject of Germany's states. I think this was a great way to start so that we could all understand the cities and areas that are being referred later on in the class. After that, there was another group project on the political system of Germany. Our group was quite large which made it difficult to meet up, but given today's technology, we were able to make it work. While going through those topics we were also reading "All Quiet on the Western Front." This was a book depicting a young WWI soldier's experiences. It was graphic and moving, giving the reader an in depth look at what it may have been like in the trenches. This book not only helped us learn a little more about German culture, but provoked thoughts on war and what it does to people. We did took an in depth look at the messages relayed by the author in each chapter, and the book as a whole. Unlike most books or movies, this novel ended with the death of the main character and no happy ending. I think this helps the reader realize that that was the feeling for many who lost friends and family in war, there is no happy ending. The next unit included multiple presentations on the history of German literature, arts, industry, and a few other topics. This was essentially an all-around history lesson of Germany. Many students probably realized how many different things actually come from Germany, like the printing press, Bayer, and the Brothers Grimm. Once we finished with history, we began the viewing of a couple films, "Berlin Calling" and "The Baader-Meinhof Complex" to help us gain and understanding of current German Youth culture. I thought these two were very interesting movies but at the same time very informational. Berlin Calling focused on the life of a new DJ, and his experiences with drugs and a fast paced party lifestyle. The Baader-Meinhoff Complex was about the RAF, which was an extremist group focused on taking down the current government system and capitalism. The film showed us the progression of the group using peaceful protest to violent armed bank robberies and kidnappings. Although these movies were set in Germany and scripted in German, they portrayed issues that are facing the entire world today and opened the class's mind to new ways of thinking. I very much enjoyed the class discussion following the movie about violence vs. non-violence. This class was definitely a mind opener; a much needed break from the constant redundancies of normal class.  After the films, every student researched a popular German food. It was fun to check out what German's eat, and hopefully soon I get to try much of them myself.
Overall, the class was very insightful and thought provoking on many different German and world issues. I would recommend taking this class for anyone.

The Edukators, Goodbye Lenin Reaction

After viewing both of the films offered on the class blog, I was able to form yet a better understanding of German youth culture. In the first film, the "Edukators", there were many recurring themes between that movie and the "Baader-Meinhof Complex". Each film had a focus on the viewpoint of the German youth with strong ideals and putting them into action. Most young Germans were probably not as motivated as to put their ideals and beliefs to work, or were at least waiting for someone, or something, to come along and really push them to get out and make a difference. There were several references to the RAF movement and the 68's in the "Edukators." Ironically, the man that the group kidnapped was once involved in a similar movement when he was young and told one of the Edukators something like: "any man who is not a liberal before 30,  has no heart, but if you are a liberal after 30, you have no brains." The CEO then went on to explain why people who get old often change and end up as the very people the youth movement was against. For the people who reap the benefits of a capitalist system, it is easy to live by and forget about others' problems as long as it doesn't involve you. As for the people supporting the movement, they have seen what its like to live at the bottom without any hope of getting out and it becomes easy for them to force change. I liked what the Edukators were doing with the ultra-rich houses. It was illegal, yes, but not as violent as with what the RAF had done. I think it is a better approach, but it is much more difficult than that to change the system.

In the film "Goodbye Lenin," I was able to get a much better insight of what East Germany was like during the time of its existence. As with the other two movies, there was a focus on the lives' of German youth and the effects that the current system had on them. This movie was slightly different, though, coming from the inside of a Communists state vs. the viewpoints of youth in a Westernized state. The main character, Alex, was involved in a youth protest against the separation of Germany and for the right of free speech/freedom of the press. This contrasts with the other two movies where the protestors wanted a more socialist state. That is interesting to me because each one wanted what the other was experiencing. Goodbye Lenin was more of an educational movie vs. an emotionally exciting film. While the story unfolded with Alex's mom and the family's ruse of keeping her in the past GDR, the film showed many depictions of the actions that took place during the end of the GDR and Berlin Wall. There were many clips in the film that were actual news footage from the events themselves. I thought that helped in giving me much greater insight into what happened during the end of the USSR, GDR, reunification of Germany and the effects on their people.

Blue Sheet Questions, Class Exercise.

1. The Baader-Meinhof group began organizing protests in a common, peaceful manner. Many of the activists were very passionate about their cause and willing to devote much time and effort to making a change. Meinhof was only slightly involved in a few of the actual protests or demonstrations that the group carried out. Despite her docile nature, her voice was the most heard because she was originally a journalist that went big when one of her writings was published and enabled the group to gain many followers. She served as the voice of the young rebel group. As Baader and the others started resorting to arson and other violent acts, she stayed in the rear. Until, Baader needed to escape from prison and the group was short on members, forcing Meinhof to take part in the violent extraction of their captive leader. Meinhof was then stripped of her innocence of being just the "voice" of the group.

2. In the beginning, I felt a sort of sympothy and understanding for the rebel group, but as the movie drew on, their actions became too brutal for me to support. I think that they would have been able to bring more followers had their actions not turned so barbaric.

3. Baader's personality had a very profound impact on the group, and without him the group may very well not have formed at all. His blind courage made it possible for the group to break through that barrier of being peaceful protesters to full-blown rebel activists. Normally, leaders are generally charismatic and level-headed people, but in the case of a rebel group like the RAF, a more zealous leader was needed to push the members beyond their comfort zones and into the world of a rebel soldier

4. It was very interesting to see where most the class stood when it came to violence vs. pacifism. I was not quite surprised, though, when a majority of the class took stance on the aggressive side. I think the fact that this exercise was done in a relatively rural area of the Midwest was a major factor of why more people stood on the right side. I took stance in the middle right section, more towards the pro-force side. I think the use of weapons aimed at your oppressor should be a last resort for social change. Many leaders in history were able to make a difference without killing. But, like in the case of the American revolution, a strong opposition of firepower is necessary.

German Homestyle Foods

I tried to focus my food research on home-cooked foods that an average middle-class German family might have for dinner. Personally, I am more interested in the real culture of the country more so than the tourism side that most people would experience.

VEGETABLE PANCAKES†
(GEMÜSE PFANNENKUCHEN)
3/4 lbs. zucchini
2 red bell peppers
1 cup broth (vegetable, chicken or beef)
8 oz. mushrooms
1/2 cup diced onions
2 tablespoons oil
2 large eggs
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup milk
1 1/2 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup whipping cream
1 cup chopped parsley
salt, garlic salt and pepper

 

 http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fvhtT9LCKJA/TI42LD8sHqI/AAAAAAAAA1c/yZZ79qrmvO0/s1600/015+a+-+Copy.jpg
 http://www.germancookbooks.com/Free_Recipes/Vegetable%20Pancakes.pdf


'Tis the season. Here is a traditional Christmas meal originated in Switzerland but very much enjoyed in Germany on Christmas Eve. A special cooking appliance called a Raclette grill is needed to melt cheese in a certain way and is served with an assortment of vegetables like potatoes, onions, and potatoes, meats, and bread. Each guest can build the meal that he or she desires. It somewhat resembles a buffet that comes together to create one solid meal. Raclette is a cow cheese most commonly used for melting onto bread, and below is a picture of the dish and the grill needed to prepare the meal. The word Raclette was said to be introduced in the middle ages, and was a nutritious meal that peasants often put together. Notice the variety of vegetables and meats so that each person can choose precisely what they want.






http://www.germanfoodguide.com/advent-dec11.cfm

I know, it is a little cliche, but here is an example of a true German beer that locals will enjoy. Here in the Midwest we pride ourselves on our "authentic" German named beers, but there is a great difference between the beers in Germany and the U.S. Many preservatives are added to American beers to give a longer shelf life. Mass production is the culprit. German beers are often produced by smaller, local breweries, and maintain a truer taste but have a much shorter shelf life. The Dortmunder Export might be a popular beer consumed in North Rhine-Westphalia. Here is Wiki's description of the popular pilsner, "[Like all other pale lagers the beer is a pale gold colour, with a moderate bitterness from the noble hops, a lean, well attenuated body, and a crisp carbonation.]"




http://www.weideland.com/bier/bier/Dortmunder%20Union%20Export.JPG

http://www.germanbeerinstitute.com/styles.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dortmunder_Export

RAF

The Red Army Faction

The causes that lead to the formation of the RAF were the Vietnam War, Imperialism, fear of another regime similar to the Nazis,  and more directly the murder of a student protester during a demonstration at the arrival of the Shah of Iran. An attempted assassination on activist Rudi Deutschke further fueled the fire of the RAF movement. In spring of 1968 Baader and Ensslin set fire to a department store. This was one of their first acts to start the movement. Their believes were often based in the writings of Mao Zedong, Ho Chi Minh, Che, and Karl Marx.
Baader and Meinhof were the leaders of the first generation of the RAF, and gave it that name. After their arrests the second generation of the RAF, and possibly the most brutal. The fall of the USSR was major blow to remaining activists as that was a first hand example of the problems with communism, but the RAF continued.
The end of the RAF was official when Rueters magazine received a fax of an 8-page typed letter stating that the group had dissolved.
The RAF can be related to recent terror attacks around the world but is slightly different in most cases. We have seen a fall in attacks by extreme leftist groups and a rise by religious groups. Recent large scale attacks such as 9-11 or the train bombings in Spain or Great Britain were at a larger scale and aimed not at just the government but at people themselves. The RAF did not want to harm the workers of their country but the institutions that they disagreed with. Recent terrorist attacks by the Al Queda and groups of the like were aimed at civilians. That is a stark difference but the RAF used many similar techniques.

"The Baader Meinhof Complex," film Reaction


I would first like to point out the quality and realism of the film. The actors and producers did a phenomenal job re-creating the events that occurred involving the RAF. I think that is a very important factor considering the severity of the content covered so that the audience can truly understand the story and all sides involved.
In the beginning of the RAF, I understood what the inolved German youth were thinking and trying to accomplish. I believe that the rise of an educated middle class was probably what sparked these types of movements. Students and youth were more educated and aware of what was going on around the world. Many Americans felt the same way during that time period, but didn't take it to the extremes quite like the RAF did. The Baader-Meinhof group took the feelings of many German youth and students around the world to a whole new level. They were the few who had the courage to actually take action against institutions that they did not believe in.
Although I understand their struggle, I disagree with the lengths they took to cause change. Yes, sometimes force is necessary to make a difference, but like in cases with Ghandi and Martin Luther King, Jr., violence is not always the answer. They made extreme differences in their movements using completely peaceful protest like boycotts and disrupting the flow of their oppressors' daily lives. It seems that the RAF were too quick to resort to violence. Their feelings for their cause got control of them and caused them to start bombings; it was a slippery slope form there. Once they built up the courage to destroy buildings, use guns and rob banks, it was easy for them to start pulling the trigger. I feel that they should have stopped using violence before it got out of control and they might have had a better chance of getting their voice heard in a positive way. By the time the group committed suicide, other RAF members had resorted to kidnappings, taking hostages, and performing executions. These extreme policies were rather counterproductive to the cause and at that point I think that a majority of the public viewed them as terrorists rather than social activists. Even though the film was able to get me to feel sympathy for the group, I think the government and police did what was necessary to deal with the rebels.

"Berlin Calling" Reaction

In the movie "Berlin Calling," Ickarus is an avid drug consumer. He uses them on a daily basis. The most common drug he uses seems to be ecstasy, or things similar to it. A majority of the drugs come in pill, and sometimes powder form.  Meth and Cocaine are other similar drugs that he and his friends take on a regular basis. To him, they are a way to make his life more exciting. They are originally used for fun and to enhance the club experiences of him and his followers, but eventually turn in to addictions, as with almost all drugs. Since he is a DJ, and is often performing and attending events in his genre of music, Ickarus is constantly exposed to these drugs and takes them along with his friends and followers. Ickarus probably ends up consuming more than the average partier because he is surrounded in that environment constantly.
Many of the youth are using these drugs because it is the popular thing to do. Many habits and fads are formed in this way. They believe it is a way to enhance their experience with the genre of music that Ickarus is creating. Just like people in the 50's started the rock 'n roll movement, and in the 70's the woodstock group that took drugs like heroine and marijuana to get "in touch" with the music, the new wave of youth is experimenting with drugs like ecstasy. Youth often have the believe that are invincible, and take drugs regardless of their obvious negative affects on the body and mind.
Since I am originally from a small town, and many would also consider St. Cloud a smaller community compared to many big cities like Berlin or New York, many of the standards I grew up with were much more conservative. You saw less of the youth behaving in reckless ways because the community most likely knew about it. In larger cities the younger generation can get together at large events like the ones in the movie and get away from all the the bad stigmas and judgements. The movie was set in Germany, but similar cultures like this can be found all over the world, but mainly in large cities where it will be more acceptable. Where I am from, alcohol is the main "drug" that is consumed among youths as it is more accepted. Germany's youth consuming ecstasy and drugs of the like is not unique, though. That culture has also spread throughout the U.S. and is gaining more popularity.
The work ethics of Ickarus and Alice are of different priority than their earlier generations. With the new age of technology, many people are seeking careers away from industry. I think think that brings people away form pursuing their careers in the industrial field, but people are still focused on seeking a source of income in different ways. Ickarus does this by doing something he loves and is good at it, and the label director knows that. Many of the standards that would be upheld by traditional employees is not necessary for someone in Ickarus's field of work and are overlooked.
A very similar movie to this I find is "Walk the Line", a biography of Johnny Cash. He was a pioneer of a new genre of music and got caught up in drugs just like Ickarus. His parents and other elders did not understand, but the youth following loved it, and he made millions of dollars and became very famous.


The questions you need to answer while viewing:

1. What do drugs mean to Ickarus?

2. Why, when, and how are his fans taking drugs, and which drugs do they take?

3. While we can see that his drug habits get him ill and into a psychosis, and while we witness his relapse and inability to work successfully, why does the subculture Ickarus is in focus on drugs?

4. Compare the standards you know from your home society with the people you see depicted in this movie. Which are the stark differences and contrasts?

5. Germany is considered a strong industrial nation the world over. Do you think that the youth culture as depicted here could change that? How about work ethics of Ickarus and of Alice, the label director who fires and then re-signs him?

6. Which similar "cult movies" of US origin have you seen, if any?